be on look out for fake scopes

[TRnCO]

So it seems that there's a fresh batch of counterfeit Leupolds on the market right now. On another forum that I hang out on, it's become quite a topic and it sounds like a guy can run into these scopes in several different avenues, including Gun Broker, Craigslist, hunting forums, and you can even buy them new from websites like www.wish.com, www.ioffer.com, www.aliexpress.com, and www.alibaba.com, among many others.

I believe I ran into one recently on Craigslist locally also. Price was a little too good for starters, and the seller was quick to respond to my Emails and anxious to meet but when I asked for a phone number and also asked for the serial number on the scope, the seller stopped responding.

If in doubt, you can call Leupold with the serial number of any of their scopes and they can verify the authenticity. It also sounds like Leupold isn't the only scope being knocked off in China.

Gotta be on your toes, scammer behind every bush these days.

[bellavite1]

Bought a Romeo 5 and a Vortex on Ebay, both counterfeit.
Promptly returned, reported and refunded.

[Tim K]

Jeeze, why would anyone counterfeit a Leupold? That'd be like selling a fake Timex watch.

[encorehunter]

I purchased a rifle with a fake Zeiss on it, so it is not only Leupold. They will counterfeit anything that will make a profit.

[def90]

Jeeze, why would anyone counterfeit a Leupold? That'd be like selling a fake Timex watch.

Well, it's the same concept of why conterfeiters copy $20s instead of 100's, they are easier to pass.

[TRnCO]

exactly, high demand affordable item. Leupold probably sells as many or more scopes than any other maker in the market, making it easier to counterfeit and blend into sells.

As encore points out, it's not just Leupold. There was a Zeiss that sold on Gunbroker recently that really didn't look like a good fake, yet it sold as a Zeiss.

[arbol]

I sell computers, and one day I ordered a bunch of processors, at a price too good to be true.

I ended up with a box of rocks.

Caveat emptor.

-John

[XJ]

I may be old-fashioned, but when it comes to high-$$$ items....yeah lame is the way to be

[Brass]

If the counterfeiter uses a real serial number from an actual Leupold scope, then won't all the serial number checks result in false authenticity confirmations?

[To Bear Arms]

If the counterfeiter uses a real serial number from an actual Leupold scope, then won't all the serial number checks result in false authenticity confirmations?

From my experience with the fake optics is the S/N on the fakes all use the same S/N. Also not necessarily on the Leupold's but Aimpoint fakes the front glass only has about 3 colors of reflective on the glass but on the real Aimpoints you see around 5 colors.

[Clint45]

We see this a lot with knives as well, particularly Microtech and Spyderco, Even comes with a fake box, insert, and warranty card.

[beast556]

All of the fake scopes that I've had a chance to inspect you can tell there knock offs the build quality is nowhere near the same. I got to inspect two fake leupold mk5 scopes recently and it was very obvious they were not legit, leupold does not use plastic turrets on there high end models instant dead giveaway.

The nice knock off knives that Ive seen are almost identical and almost impossible to tell there fake.

[Clint45]

The nice knock off knives that Ive seen are almost identical and almost impossible to tell there fake.

A few years back there was a flood of bogus Microtech HALO III knives on the market, for a fraction of what a real HALO III sells for. They seemed nearly identical except the screws were a little different, the steel definitely wasn't Elmax, and they all had the exact same serial number. The problem was some people were reselling them for triple what they paid.

There also was a run of bogus Microtech Combat Troodons that were easy to ID once you actually held them in your hand due to the weight, since they used cast zinc alloy rather than CNC machined aluminum.

Then there are the super cheap knockoffs sold at gun shows and flea markets that typically break within a week.

[brutal]

Jeeze, why would anyone counterfeit a Leupold? That'd be like selling a fake Timex watch.

My old beat up MKIV LR/T is good enough to kill an Antelope at 300 yds, an Elk at 275 on the trot (standing), and hold groups with a .308WIN.

Not saying it's great for LR comp, but it kills game just fine.

https://i.imgur.com/gVjyx1Nl.jpg